Erik ten Hag insists Mason Mount will help Man United become ‘more dynamic’ in midfield as the England star impresses from the first start for his new side
- Mount played 45 minutes on Wednesday as United beat Leeds in pre-season
- He is the club’s main signing to date after completing a £60 move
- Ten Hag praised the midfielder as ‘a great team player’ who ‘knows how to win’
Erik ten Hag has insisted that Mason Mount will help Manchester United become ‘more dynamic’ in midfield.
Mount made the move to United last week after several years at Chelsea in a £60 million deal.
He made his first appearance in a United shirt on Wednesday, playing 45 minutes against Leeds in Norway in the Red Devils’ first pre-season friendly, putting in a solid performance in front of several thousand enthusiastic United fans.
Mount is expected to play a key role in United’s side this season as they hunt for more silverware under Erik ten Hag after winning the Carabao Cup last season and losing in the FA Cup final.
Before the game against Leeds, Ten Hag said via Viaplay that he is confident that Mount will contribute to the club’s success and that he would like to play as offensively as possible in a United shirt.
Erik ten Hag has insisted that Mason Mount (left) help his side become ‘more dynamic’ in midfield
Mount started his first game for United as they beat Leeds 2–0 in pre-season on Wednesday
Ten Hag (pictured) said Mount would like to play an attacking midfield role this season
“I’m sure he will contribute to United’s success because he is a quality player,” said the Dutchman. “His vision is to play offensively [role]. But he also wants to be multifunctional, he wants to be complete.
“If you play in midfield, you have to attack, but you also have to defend. I’m sure he will bring dynamism to our game and that was one of our analysis conclusions after last season. We need [to be] more dynamism in midfield.
“As a manager you always hope that you have the players in the first moment, because then you can work on the routines and our way of playing during the pre-season.”
He also praised those involved in the deal after the club had ‘worked so hard’ to secure the signing
United fought to secure the deal for Mount, with new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino keen to work with the England midfielder.
Liverpool were also interested in his services, but United got the deal over the line and ten Hag was full of praise for those helping to secure the deal.
“We worked so hard to get this done,” he said. “I think so many clubs were looking for Mason to sign him and they succeeded. We are happy with that, he brings something to the midfield.
“He’s also a great team player and he knows how to win.”